Over the past 64 years, the role of James Bond has captivated audiences globally, with seven actors bringing the iconic British spy to life in 27 films. The quest for the next 007, currently underway, has sparked interest as a fresh wave of talent vies for the coveted part. Actors such as Callum Turner and Jack Lowden are preparing for auditions in October, carrying on a legacy that began with Sean Connery in Dr. No (1962) and most recently concluded with Daniel Craig in No Time to Die (2021).
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While multiple actors successfully stepped into the shoes of the MI6 agent, numerous stars have previously auditioned, only to miss out on the part. Among those who aspired to portray Bond are some well-known names who ultimately landed other roles within the franchise or found their paths diverging in unexpected directions.
Richard Todd was once Ian Fleming’s top choice to be the first James Bond. According to reports, Todd had to decline the offer due to prior commitments to the film Death Drums Along the River in 1963, paving the way for Connery to take on the ground-breaking role. Despite this setback, Todd’s connection to the Bond legacy is a testament to the actor’s strong appeal in the early days of Bond casting.
Michael Billington is another name synonymous with missed opportunities, having auditioned for Bond multiple times throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His persistence was not rewarded with the leading role, but Billington did appear as KGB agent Sergei Barsov in The Spy Who Loved Me, showcasing how ambitions in the Bond universe can still yield a place in the franchise, albeit in different capacities.
An interesting entry is James Brolin, who auditioned for Octopussy in 1983 during Roger Moore’s tenure. Brolin was initially cast in the role after Moore’s announcement that he would retire from Bond, but a last-minute change of heart by Moore meant Brolin lost the opportunity entirely. This twist of fate illustrates the unpredictable nature of casting decisions in the world of film.
In the late 1980s, Sam Neill was also in the running for the role for The Living Daylights. Upon reflection, Neill shared his relief at not landing the part, admitting he felt awkward throughout the audition process. He had a strong desire for his friend Pierce Brosnan to secure the Bond role, and his respect for Brosnan’s ambition speaks volumes about the camaraderie among actors vying for such an iconic part.
Sean Bean, known for his robust character portrayals, briefly entertained discussions about stepping into Bond’s shoes in his early 30s. However, Bean believed he was too young for the role at that stage in his career. Interestingly, he was later cast as 006 in GoldenEye (1995), which he described as an ideal resolution to his Bond aspirations.
Dominic West, best remembered for his role in The Wire, took a slightly unconventional approach during his audition for Casino Royale in 2005, opting for casual attire over the expected tuxedo. Though he was enthusiastic about the opportunity, West later expressed gratitude for not being cast, citing the pressures of publicity that would accompany such a high-profile role.
Among the more notable near-misses is Henry Cavill, who auditioned for Casino Royale as a young actor. Recalling the experience, Cavill regarded his performance as a failure and revealed that the director, Martin Campbell, candidly pointed out his lack of physical preparation. This honest feedback ultimately helped him refine his approach to fitness and acting, paving the way for a successful career.
Antony Starr, the Kiwi actor known for his role in Banshee, described his own audition for Casino Royale as “stone-faced,” lamenting his poor performance. He vividly recounted the experience, feeling as though he were fishing without bait, a metaphor illustrating the challenges of stepping into such a legendary character’s shoes.
Rupert Friend and Sam Worthington also threw their hats in the ring, each auditioning for the Bond role while navigating their careers. Friend turned down an offer to play Bond soon after college, feeling he lacked the maturity for the role, while Worthington recognised his inability to capture Bond’s debonair charm in his audition.
Finally, Matthew Rhys shared his experience during the audition process, revealing his discomfort when asked how he would reinvent the character. His whimsical response about giving Bond a limp showed his struggle to approach the iconic role with the seriousness it required.
As the search for the next Bond intensifies, the stories of these actors remind us that the path to portraying 007 is filled with numerous twists and turns. While only a select few will ever don the tuxedo and wield the famous Walther, the legacy of James Bond continues to inspire many performers across the globe.